| SATELLITE BROADBAND - SOME FACTS In 1957 the USSR launched the first satellite into space. It was called “Sputnik” and it heralded a new frontier. Nowadays there are dozens of satellites in geostationary orbit approximately 23,000 miles above the surface of the earth. Geostationary orbit means that they all travel at exactly the same speed as the rotation of the earth and as such they appear to remain in the same position at all times. All the major satellites are located in what has become known as The Clarke Belt. Ses-Astra with their headquarters in Betzdorf in Luxembourg are recognised as the principal commercial satellite company in the world. Astra are responsible for, among other things, beaming Sky television to millions of homes in Ireland and the UK. Astra bring television to one hundred and twenty million homes in Europe. Satellite broadband has been around for many years referred to as VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) but has always been considered to be very expensive and quite slow and really only useful for large companies due to the capital cost. In late 2006 Astra developed a product called Astra2Connect (A2C) which was a new generation, state of the art satellite system designed specifically for the residential market and priced accordingly. As well as delivering speeds of up to 2 Meg. down this new Astra platform is also capable of providing Voice Over Internet with all of its attendant cost savings on call charges and Television or Video on Demand. The product is sweeping Europe at the moment and we at ABB TELECOM Ltd. are very pleased that Astra Broadband Services have chosen us as their partner for the provision of the service in Ireland. There are some myths about satellite services that have gained “legs” over the years due to not being challenged and we would like to lay these to rest once and for all. Satellite is very expensive per month - WRONG This was true in the past but not any more. Our monthly charge for 1 Meg. broadband l of €39.95 compares very favourably with what is available elsewhere bearing in mind that we can provide the service anywhere and they cannot. The up front hardware cost for satellite is prohibitive - WRONG Once again this used to be true but not anymore. You cannot receive satellite signals during rain - WRONG Rain, mist or fog have no effect whatsoever on modern satellite hardware. As evidence of this you only have to refer to your own satellite television reception. How many times during the past twelve months have you been unable to watch satellite television because it was raining outside? It is only in cases of very severe inclement weather that your satellite broadband service could be interrupted. Satellite broadband is no good for gaming - WRONG The most played game online is poker and poker can most definitely be played over a satellite connection as can roulette, chess, golf, football, tennis etc. The one type of game which is not suitable to be played over satellite and which thankfully has a minority following is the “bang bang” type of violent assault game where you have to shoot the other guy before he shoots you or wipe out his army or his Country before he wipes out yours. |
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